Awevator

ABSTRACT

A shelving system for storing objects may include a fixed frame, a movable frame to cooperate with the fixed frame, and a movable shelf to cooperate with the first frame and the movable frame. The movable frame may move up and down the fixed frame. The fixed frame may include a surface to carry the rolling shelf, and the movable frame may include a wheel. The movable frame may include a shaft for the wheel, and the movable frame may include a pivoting frame member to pivot between a vertical position to a horizontal position. The movable frame may include a support arm member which is detachable from a movable vertical frame member and visits with respect to the pivoting frame member, and the fixed frame may include a front vertical frame member which includes a vertical channel in order to guide a cable to lift the movable frame.

PRIORITY

The present invention claims priority based on 35 USC section 119 and application 61/112860 which was filed on Dec. 9, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shelving and more particularly to a shelf having a fixed frame member and a movable frame member.

BACKGROUND

Shelving has been used in order to store items and to organize items that may be desirable to be retained for use in the future. Typically there may be many shelves that are interconnected by a frame and may be positioned on a wall for items to be stored. However, one problem with this type of shelving is placing heavy items onto the shelving. This is typically accomplished by the user bending over picking up the item and placing it on the shelf. This can be a time-consuming and backbreaking proposition. Certain items such as cans of paint may be significantly heavy so that the lifting of these items is a burden for the user. Furthermore, the items to be placed on the shelf must be carried to the shelf then transferred to the various shelves.

SUMMARY

A shelving system for storing objects may include a fixed frame, a movable frame to cooperate with the fixed frame, and a movable shelf to cooperate with the first frame and the movable frame. The movable frame may move up and down the fixed frame.

The fixed frame may include a surface to carry the movable shelf, and the movable frame may include a wheel.

The movable frame may include a shaft for the wheel, and the movable frame may include a pivoting frame member to pivot between a vertical position to a horizontal position.

The movable frame may include a support arm member which is detachable from a movable vertical frame member and visits with respect to the pivoting frame member, and the fixed frame may include a front vertical frame member which includes a vertical channel in order to guide a cable to lift the movable frame.

The cable may be connected to a drum, and the drum may be connected to a manual hoist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the shelf system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the movable frame of the shelf system of the present invention

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the movable frame in a stowed position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a wheel assembly of the movable shelf of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the movable shelf of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the shelf system of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the front vertical frame member;

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the shelf system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a space saving, shelving system which permits the shelves to be raised and lowered independently of one another. The present invention which may be referred to as the Elevating Rolling Shelf is a useful for anybody, particularly those with a garage or basement who need to save space. The Elevating Rolling Shelf is different from other storage devices, because of its features to store several bulky items vertically, without having to manually lift them off the ground. The present invention resembles a fork lift. The Elevating Rolling Shelf can save space with respect to its perimeter.

The Elevating Rolling Shelf looks like a typical shelf component, but because of its unique design and added features it does much more. It consists of four legs standing upright. All four vertical legs are similar. The present invention includes elevator tracks having a groove running the length of the unit and a lip on both sides of the groove to keep the wheels aligned. The two rear legs and two front legs have holes at a predetermined position for alignment of the roller shelf tracks.

The legs of the Elevating Rolling Shelf are held together from front to back with roller tracks (shelf tracks) into alignment holes. The present invention is shown as having three shelves (other number shelves are within the scope of the invention), and each shelf may include a track on the left and right side. So there are three shelf tracks going from the front leg to back leg on the left side and the right side for six total roller tracks. The shelf tracks may have a removable safety pin on front end. The present invention may include bracing from the left rear leg to the right-rear leg. A Z bars will be attached at shelf heights. The present invention may include cross bracing to support the system from swaying.

The Elevating Rolling Shelf may be attached to a permanent wall fixture to prevent it from tipping forward. The two rear legs may include 90-degree brackets secured at the top of each leg, which may be bolted to the wall. The two front legs have a pulley secured at the top of each leg whereas the front edge of the pulley may cooperate with the center of the barn door track. Attached to the wall above the shelf is a long metal rod with a coil drum fixed on each end. The rod may be connected to the wall with two brackets that allow the rod to rotate on its longitudinal axis. An electric hoist with a forward and reverse motor is attached to the wall next to the rod, and a chain and two gear sprockets connect the two, or a hoist motor with direct connect shaft to shaft with no sprockets or chain. This arrangement provides the power for the lifting and lowering. A manual gearbox could also be used. The two coil drums on the rod are aligned with the legs of the shelf. A metal wire cable or other type of cable may be connected to each of the coil drums, then each cable is run over the pulley and down into the front legs (barn door tracks). The other end of the wire is connected to the shelf bracket assembly, which rolls smoothly up and down the front legs.

There is an elevating shelf bracket assembly on the right and left front legs, and the cable lengths may be substantially equal from the top of the front legs. The elevating shelf bracket assembly rolls up and down because of their design. The elevating shelf bracket assembly may be L-shaped at 90 degrees. Two sets of 4-wheel rollers attached to each L bracket on short leg stay inside the front legs (barn door tracks) and the attached L bracket stays outside the legs. Attached to each elevating shelf bracket is another roller track (elevating track). When the shelf track and elevating track are aligned, the combination may allow for smooth rolling of the shelf assembly.

When not in use the elevating roller track assembly is made to be detachable and pivotable: at the top of the angle bar there is a lynch pin which is removable, and where the roller track attaches to the angle bracket and the bottom of the angle bar are pivot pins. When the lynch pin is removed, the angle bar and elevating roller track pivots over and extends vertically out of the way.

The shelf assemblies may include a metal wire shelf, similar to a Metro brand. Four fabricated brackets with roller shelf wheels, and steel caps at end of shaft may be used to hold secure to brackets. Brackets are attached to the underside near the corners at a predetermined distance which may be 3″ from the front and rear of wire shelf, as per drawings.

The Elevating Shelf employs the power of an electric hoist, or alternatively a manual gearbox. The power is transferred thru a chain and gear sprockets turning the shaft allowing the wire cables to reel in and out from the coil drums. The cables go over the pulleys, and down the front legs and are connected to the elevating shelf bracket assembly, causing them to go up and down as the shaft turns. The elevating shelf bracket assembly (elevating roller tracks) lines up with the shelf roller tracks and the hoist keeps them in place. Two safety pins in the shelf tracks holding the shelf assembly in place are pulled out and the shelf is pulled smoothly onto the shelf bracket assembly. The two safety pins are then inserted into the elevating shelf bracket assembly keeping the shelf assembly secure. The hoist can now lower the shelf bracket assembly that is carrying the shelf assembly, safely and substantially to the ground.

Items such as lawnmowers, power washers, tool boxes, etc. can be put on the shelf at ground level. The approximate weight limit per shelf is dependent on the materials and the particular construction but might exceed 200 lbs. This system provides the user to vertically store at least 200 lbs. of materials per shelf without manual lifting. Once the shelf is loaded at ground level the hoist will pull it back up. The elevating shelf tracks and shelf tracks are once again aligned; the safety pins are pulled from the elevating shelf bracket assembly and the shelf is pushed smoothly back into place. The two safety pins are inserted back into the shelf tracks holding the shelf in place. The elevating shelf assembly is raised to maximum height to be out of the way, or pull the lynch pin out to hang out it of the way.

The present invention provides a fixed frame for the storage of movable shelves which may be moved around the surface in order to place items to be stored on the shelf and then the movable shelf may be positioned on a movable frame which moves a long a fixed frame and the movable shelf may be transferred to the fix frame along with the items which have been placed on the movable shelf.

FIG. 1 illustrates the AWEVATOR or shelving system 100 of the present invention, and FIG. 1 illustrates a fixed frame 101 and a movable frame 103 which moves substantially vertically with respect to the fixed frame 101. The fix frame 101 may include a pair of opposed front vertical frame members 105 and a pair of opposed back vertical frame members 107. The front vertical frame members 105 may be connected to the back vertical frame members 107 by a horizontal frame member 109 which may be substantially L-shaped which may include a horizontal surface 111 which may cooperate with the wheels of the movable shelf 113 so that the movable shelf 113 may be transferred from the movable frame 103 to the fix frame 101. The back vertical frame members 107 may be connected by a back horizontal frame member 115 which may be substantially L-shaped and may include a horizontal surface 117 which may cooperate with the movable shelf 113.

The back vertical frame members 117 may be connected to a pair of opposing brackets 119 which may attach to the wall or other support surface by fastening devices such as screws, bolts or other such devices (not shown). The mounting brackets 119 cooperate with a substantially horizontal shaft 121 which is rotatable forward or backwards in order to raise or lower the movable frame 103. The shaft 121 may be rotated manually with a chain/hois 123 or alternatively may be rotated by an electric hoist 125 which may be controlled by a user. The front vertical frame member 105 may include a channel 131 formed in the front surface of the vertical frame member 105 to cooperate with a cable 133 to connect to and raise/lower the movable frame 103.

The movable frame 103 may include a movable vertical frame member 135 which may move substantially in the vertical direction in cooperation and with connection to the cable 133. The movable vertical frame member 135 may be connected to a pivoting frame member 137 at a lower portion of the movable frame member 135. The pivoting frame member 137 may pivot between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position. The pivoting frame member 137 may be held in the horizontal position by a pin member 153. The pivoting frame member 137 may be connected and supported by the support frame member 139 which may extend between opposing pivoting frame member 137 and may be substantially X-shaped. The movable frame 103 may include a support arm member 151 which may be releasably connected to the movable vertical frame member 135 by the pins 153 at a first end and may be pivotably connected to the pivoting frame arm member 137 at the second end.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the movable frame 103 is illustrated in an open position, and the movable frame 103 may include a movable vertical frame member 135 which may move substantially in the vertical direction in cooperation and with connection to the cable 133. The movable vertical frame member 135 may be connected to a pivoting frame member 137 at a lower portion of the movable frame member 135. The pivoting frame member 137 may pivot between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position. The pivoting frame member 137 may be held in the horizontal position by a pin member 153. The pivoting frame member 137 may be connected and supported by the support frame member 139 which may extend between opposing pivoting frame member 137 and may be substantially X-shaped. The movable frame 103 may include a support arm member 151 which may be releasably connected to the movable vertical frame member 135 by the pins 153 at a first end and may be pivotably connected to the pivoting frame arm member 137 at the second end.

FIG. 2 illustrates the pivoting frame member 137, the support frame member 139 and the support arm member 151 in a stowed position and being shown in phantom.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the movable frame 103 is positioned in a stowed position, and the movable frame 103 may include a movable vertical frame member 135 which may move substantially in the vertical direction in cooperation and with connection to the cable 133. The movable vertical frame member 135 may be connected to a pivoting frame member 137 at a lower portion of the movable frame member 135. The pivoting frame member 137 may pivot between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position. The pivoting frame member 137 may be held in the horizontal position by a pin member 153. The pivoting frame member 137 may be connected and supported by the support frame member 139 which may extend between opposing pivoting frame member 137 and may be substantially X-shaped. The movable frame 103 may include a support arm member 151 which may be releasably connected to the movable vertical frame member 135 by the pins 153 at a first end and may be pivotably connected to the pivoting frame arm member 137 at the second end.

FIG. 4 illustrates a wheel assembly 161 which may include a wheel frame 167 which may be substantially U-shaped and the wheel frame 167 cooperates with a wheel shaft 165 which extends through the wheel frame 167. One end of the wheel shaft 165 may be connected to a wheel 163 to allow and the movable frame 103 to be moved.

FIG. 5 illustrates the movable shelf 113 which may include a wheel assembly 161 which may be positioned at substantially each corner of the movable shelf 113. The movable shelf 113 may include a shelf frame 169 which extends around the outer edge of the movable shelf 113 and the movable shelf 113 may include a grid of overlapping rods in order to support the objects that the user desires to store.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the shelf system 100 of the present invention which may include a fixed frame 101 which may include a front vertical frame member 105, a back vertical frame member 107, a horizontal frame member 109, a sheaves 171, a cable 133 and a movable shelf 113 which may include a support arm member 151 and a pivoting frame member 137.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the front vertical frame member 105 and illustrates front vertical frame member 105, the cable 133, and the wheels 163.

FIG. 8 illustrates a alternative device for lifting the movable shelf 113 and illustrates a pair of opposing motors 173 which may be mounted on the top of the first vertical frame member 105 and illustrates a threaded shaft/treaded rod 175 to cooperate with internal threads of the movable shelf 113.

In operation, the user removes the movable shelf around the surface by allowing the movable shelf to move on the wheels 163. The user places objects to be stored on the movable shelf 113 and the movable shelf is positioned over the movable frame 103 by placing the wheels 163 on a upper horizontal surface of the pivoting frame member. The movable frame 103 is raise and lower the cables 133 which is rotated on the drum 171. The movable frame 103 is placed adjacent to the horizontal frame member 109 and travels on the horizontal surface 111 until it reaches a position that the movable frame 103 is free to be raised or lowered. Thus, objects are lifted and stored without the need for the user to lift the objects directly onto the shelf 100.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. 

1) A shelving system for storing objects, comprising; a fixed frame; a movable frame to cooperate with the fixed frame; a rolling shelf to cooperate with the first frame and the movable frame; wherein the movable frame may move up and down the fixed frame. 2) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 1, wherein the fix frame includes a surface to carry the rolling shelf 3) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 1, wherein the movable frame includes a wheel. 4) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 3, wherein the movable frame includes a shaft for the wheel. 5) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 1, wherein the movable frame includes a pivoting frame member to pivot between a vertical position to a horizontal position. 6) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 5, wherein the movable frame includes a support arm member which is detachable from a movable vertical frame member and visits with respect to the pivoting frame member. 7) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 1, wherein the fix frame includes a front vertical frame member which includes a vertical channel in order to guide a cable to lift the movable frame. 8) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 7, wherein the cable is connected to a drum. 9) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 8, wherein the drum is connected to a manual hoist. 10) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 8, wherein the drum is connected to an electric hoist. 11) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 1, wherein the rolling shelf operates on a support surface and be lifted on the movable frame. 12) A shelving system for storing objects as in claim 1, wherein the fix frame includes a rear vertical frame member which includes a motor and shaft to lift the movable frame. 